BRUCE G. BUTLER
June 23, 1950 – October 28, 2004
Mr. Butler was born and raised in Lima, Ohio until the age of 16,
when his family moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1966. Later that year in Phoenix, he began his
initial Martial Art training in Ju-Jitsu under Sensei Jim Jones. A short time later, with
the approval of his Sensei, he stepped on the mat at the local YMCA to begin his study of
Kodokan Judo. After the passing of his Ju-Jitsu instructor, Mr. Butler entered the U.S.
Army to pursue his Military Career. While serving in Stuttgart, Germany at the United
States European Command Headquarters, Mr. Butler met Sensei Bruce Bethers and helped to
establish the Stuttgart Martial Arts School. In 1976, Mr. Butler (as a member of the
American Martial Arts Society), earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in the Art of Shihan-Ryu
Ju-Jitsu, as well as Shihan-Ryu Karate. While training and teaching in Europe, Mr. Butler
was a key leader in helping to organize the European Armed Forces Martial Arts
Association. During his five year tour of duty overseas, the EAFMAA held many seminars and
tournaments in Germany, France, England and Greece. While serving in Europe, Mr. Butler's
competition career included winning several Medals and Awards in International
Competition. He also trained many U.S. Soldiers and military dependants while teaching and
improving his Martial Arts in Stuttgart, Germany. In April of 1976, Mr. Butler married his
wonderful wife Christine, who had been working at Patch Barracks Ski Shop. Shortly after
leaving Europe, Mr. Butler also left the Military, moved to San Diego, California, where
he continued to pursue the Martial Arts.
In 1981, Mr. Butler provided leadership with the merger of the European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association and the American Martial Arts Society into the United States Martial Arts Association.
After moving to Orange County, Mr. Butler began his study of Shito-Ryu Karate with the Japan Karate Federation, Japan Karate-Do Itosu-Kai under Shihan Fumio Demura. With his various Black Belt level qualifications, Mr. Butler currently teaches in three locations (Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, & Redlands) in southern California. Today, he maintains his training and guidance with Shihan Demura while teaching and promoting Martial Arts which includes Ju-Jitsu under Sensei Bruce Bethers, and the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.
Mr. Butler passed away on October 28, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. The members and directors of the USJJF expressed our heartfelt condolences to all who knew him and were fortunate to have called him a friend. He is survived by his wife Chris and will be missed by his students and many friends.
Mr. Butler's Martial Arts
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